A Simplified Model To Predict the Effect of Increasing Atmospheric CO2 on Carbonate Chemistry in the OceanBrian J. Bozlee, Maria Janebo, and Ginger JahnThe chemistry of dissolved inorganic carbon in seawater is reviewed and used to predict the potential effect of rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It is found that calcium carbonate may become unsaturated in cold surface seawater by the year 2100, resulting in the destruction of calcifying organisms such as coral.Bozlee, Brian J.; Janebo, Maria; Jahn, Ginger. J. Chem. Educ.2008, 85, 213.

Applications of Chemistry |

Aqueous Solution Chemistry |

Atmospheric Chemistry |

Equilibrium |

Green Chemistry |

Water / Water Chemistry

Experimental Determination of Ultraviolet Radiation Protection of Common MaterialsSusana C. A. Tavares, Joaquim C. G. Esteves de Silva, and João PaivaThe oxidation of iodide is used as an indicator for the degree of exposure to UV radiation and to investigate the protection given by a simulation of ozone using plexiglass plates, sunscreen lotions, cotton cloth with different colors, and aqueous solutions with different concentrations of natural organic matter.Tavares, Susana C. A.; Esteves de Silva, Joaquim C. G.; Paiva, João. J. Chem. Educ.2007, 84, 1963.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Mapping of Environmental Samples across College CampusesKathleen L. Purvis-Roberts, Harriet P. Moeur, and Andrew ZanellaIn this laboratory experiment, students take environmental samples (concentrations of nitrogen dioxide) and geospatial coordinates with a global position systems unit at various locations around campus, map their data on a geo-referenced map with geographical information systems software, and compare their results to those observed by governmental agencies.Purvis-Roberts, Kathleen L.; Moeur, Harriet P.; Zanella, Andrew. J. Chem. Educ.2007, 84, 1691.

Applications of Chemistry |

Atmospheric Chemistry |

Gases |

Laboratory Computing / Interfacing |

UV-Vis Spectroscopy

A Simple Calorimetric Experiment That Highlights Aspects of Global Heat Retention and Global WarmingJoel D. Burley and Harold S. JohnstonIn this laboratory experiment, general chemistry students verify that heat is consumed in the melting of ice, with no increase in temperature until all the ice has melted. The fundamental calorimetric principles demonstrated by the lab results are then developed to help students better assess and understand the experimental evidence associated with global warming.Burley, Joel D.; Johnston, Harold S. J. Chem. Educ.2007, 84, 1686.

Atmospheric Chemistry |

Calorimetry / Thermochemistry

Response to "Keeping Our Cool"Roy W. ClarkGeneral chemistry teachers should teach general chemistry. They should teach neither the appreciation of the wonders of modern science, nor should they teach the evil consequences of modern science.Clark, Roy W. J. Chem. Educ.2007, 84, 232.

Atmospheric Chemistry

A Passive Sampler for Determination of Nitrogen Dioxide in Ambient AirDan Xiao, Lianzhi Lin, Hongyan Yuan, Martin M. F. Choi, and Winghong ChanThis article describes the use of a passive sampler for detecting and collecting nitrogen dioxide, NO2, in ambient air. This device is based on microporous PTFE membranes that allow air samples to diffuse through and subsequently react with an absorbing reagent solution. The absorbance value of this reagent is proportional to the NO2 concentration in ambient air. It has been successfully applied to determine the NO2 concentrations in various sampling sites.Xiao, Dan; Lin, Lianzhi; Yuan, Hongyan; Choi, Martin M. F.; Chan, Winghong. J. Chem. Educ.2005, 82, 1231.

Calibration |

Membranes |

UV-Vis Spectroscopy |

Amines / Ammonium Compounds |

Coordination Compounds |

Gases |

Laboratory Equipment / Apparatus |

Nonmajor Courses |

Quantitative Analysis

Greenhouse Gases and Non-gray BehaviorJ. C. JonesGreenhouse gases feature in many courses in applied chemistry as well as in courses on environmental science, atmospheric chemistry, and so on. We hear a great deal about such matters from the media. A more classical topic which first-year chemistry students will learn about in the physical chemistry component of their program is the black body concept and the StefanBoltzmann law. Recently in teaching about greenhouse gases to MSc students I have thought of a link between the topical and classical matters that is pedagogically interesting and might be of value to others teaching in this subject area.Jones, J. C. J. Chem. Educ.2005, 82, 837.

Atmospheric Chemistry |

Gases

Water in the AtmosphereJoel M. KauffmanNone of eight college-level general chemistry texts gave a mean value for water in the atmosphere, despite its being the third most prevalent constituent at about 1.5% by mass as vapor and about 2% if clouds and ice crystals are included. The importance of water as a greenhouse gas was omitted or marginalized by five of the eight texts. An infrared spectrum of humid air was determined to demonstrate that water vapor, because of its higher concentration, was more absorptive than carbon dioxide. The cooling effect of clouds, or other influences on the Earth's albedo, were not mentioned in most of the texts. These pervasive errors should be corrected in new or future editions of textbooks. Kauffman, Joel M. J. Chem. Educ.2004, 81, 1229.

Atmospheric Chemistry |

Gases |

Green Chemistry |

IR Spectroscopy

Mass Spectrometry for the MassesJared D. Persinger, Geoffrey C. Hoops, and Michael J. SamideIn this article, we describe an experiment for an introductory chemistry course that incorporates the use of mass spectrometry for sample analysis. Several different air samples are collected that represent various chemical processes, and the composition of the air sample is predicted on the basis of known chemical principles. A gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer is used to analyze these samples, and the relative quantities of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, and argon are calculated. On the basis of the data, the hypothesized sample composition is validated. Persinger, Jared D.; Hoops, Geoffrey C.; Samide, Michael J. J. Chem. Educ.2004, 81, 1169.

Generating Water-Soluble Noxious Gases: An Overhead Projector DemonstrationSally Solomon, Maria Oliver-Hoyo, and Chinhyu HurA simple, inexpensive apparatus to generate and collect water-soluble noxious gases as an overhead projector demonstration can be made from two small beakers and a Petri dish. The detection and generation of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are described. Solomon, Sally; Oliver-Hoyo, Maria; Hur, Chinhyu. J. Chem. Educ.1998, 75, 1581.

Gases |

Oxidation / Reduction |

Carbohydrates |

Toxicology

Thermal Physics (and Some Chemistry) of the AtmosphereStephen K. LowerAn exploration of how the temperature of the atmosphere varies with altitude can serve as a useful means of illustrating some important principles relating to the behavior of gases and to the absorption and transformation of radiant energy. Lower, Stephen K. J. Chem. Educ.1998, 75, 837.

Atmospheric Chemistry |

Gases

Saving Your Students' Skin. Undergraduate Experiments that Probe UV Protection by Sunscreens and SunglassesJames R. Abney and Bethe A. ScalettarThis article describes absorption spectroscopy experiments that illustrate the mechanism of action of sunscreens and sunglasses and that highlight the differences between different products. The experiments are well suited to incorporation into an undergraduate science laboratory and will expose students to absorption phenomena in a familiar context with substantial environmental and medical relevance. Abney, James R.; Scalettar, Bethe A. J. Chem. Educ.1998, 75, 757.

Photochemistry |

UV-Vis Spectroscopy |

Atmospheric Chemistry |

Applications of Chemistry |

Spectroscopy

Photocatalytic Degradation of a Gaseous Organic PollutantJimmy C. Yu and Linda Y. L. ChanA simple and effective method to demonstrate the phenomenon of photocatalytic degradation of a gaseous organic pollutant was developed. Titanium dioxide (anatase) was used as the photocatalyst, and sunlight was found to be an effective light source for the activation of TiO2. The organic pollutant degrade in this demonstration was a common indoor air pollutant, dichloromethane.Yu, Jimmy C.; Chan, Linda Y. L. J. Chem. Educ.1998, 75, 750.

Catalysis |

Photochemistry |

Atmospheric Chemistry |

Applications of Chemistry

Chemical BehaviorPaul G. JasienIn order to increase student understanding of the seemingly confusing behavior of chemical substances involved in environmental chemistry, an analogy between chemical and human behavior is presented. The analogy focuses on how the same individual can behave differently due to his/her social surroundings.Jasien, Paul G. J. Chem. Educ.1997, 74, 943.

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Nonmajor Courses |

Consumer Chemistry |

Atmospheric Chemistry

A Simple and Low-Cost Air SamplerSashi Saxena Ratna and Pramrod UpadhyayIn this article, an air sampler kit is presented that can be assembled from locally available household materials. The reliability of the sampler kit is also established.Ratna, Shashi Saxena; Upadhyay, Pramod. J. Chem. Educ.1996, 73, 787.

Atmospheric Chemistry |

Laboratory Equipment / Apparatus |

Quantitative Analysis

The Environmental Chemistry of Trace Atmospheric GasesWilliam C. TroglerInformation regarding the composition of trace gases in the Earth's atmosphere, changes in these amounts, their sources, and potential future impact on the environment.Trogler, William C. J. Chem. Educ.1995, 72, 973.

The absorption of UV light by ozone Koubek, EdwardUsing a low-pressure mercury vapor UV lamp and a recently laundered white cotton sheet as a background, one can produce a shadowgraph of ozone emerging from an ozonator.Koubek, Edward J. Chem. Educ.1989, 66, 338.

Great spray can debateBassow, HerbA curriculum scenario that takes the problems raised by the technological, economic, and political contexts of the fluorocarbon controversy as its point of focus.Bassow, Herb J. Chem. Educ.1977, 54, 371.

Environmental chemistry in the classroomDay, Jean W.The environmental sciences is an especially good vehicle for relating chemistry to other disciplines in courses for nonscientists.Day, Jean W. J. Chem. Educ.1970, 47, 260.

Nonmajor Courses |

Atmospheric Chemistry |

Applications of Chemistry

Stable isotopes of the atmosphereEck, C. F.This article briefly presents the composition of air, the discovery of isotopes, their concentration in air, and reviews their current enrichment status.Eck, C. F. J. Chem. Educ.1969, 46, 706.

Atmospheric Chemistry |

Isotopes |

Nuclear / Radiochemistry

Radioisotopes on your rooftopLockhart, Luther, B., Jr.The collection, recovery, and measurement of radioactive materials from atomic testing can be done through the use of relatively simple procedures and is a good exercise in tracer chemistry.Lockhart, Luther, B., Jr. J. Chem. Educ.1957, 34, 602.